DFSNZ, who are New Zealand's national anti-doping agency, will be responsible for the execution of the sample collection and analysis programme that will operate across the 20 participating teams over the seven-week tournament, which is due to begin next month.

"The International Rugby Board and Rugby World Cup Limited is committed to a zero tolerance policy towards drug cheats in Rugby and the appointment of a globally renowned anti-doping agency to deliver the Rugby World Cup 2011 programme underscores this stance," said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"Drug Free Sport New Zealand and the IRB share the same values of integrity, discipline and respect and we will also be using Rugby World Cup 2011 as an educational platform for the global Rugby family.

"We are looking forward to working with DFSNZ on what will be a critical area of tournament delivery."

The appointment gives the DFSNZ an opportunity to provide a key service for the largest sporting event ever to be hosted in New Zealand, and they will work in partnership with the IRB to supply qualified sample collection officers, who will be responsible for the witnessing and processing of blood and urine samples collected throughout the World Cup, which is due to open on September 9.

All samples collected will be sent for analysis at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Sydney, as there is currently no WADA accredited lab in New Zealand, with full details of the extensive Rugby World Cup testing programme being announced shortly.

"Drug Free Sport New Zealand will work closely with the IRB and use its considerable experience of testing in the Rugby environment to make sure that the largest single event testing programme ever conducted in New Zealand runs smoothly and effectively," said DFSNZ chief executive Graeme Steel.

The IRB in partnership with its 117 member unions operated a record testing and education programme in 2010 as they undertook 1,288 tests across men's and women's fifteens and sevens competitions in addition to over 4,000 controls undertaken by IRB member unions and national anti-doping agencies.

Despite the rigorous testing programme, there were five IRB anti-doping rule violations in 2010.

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